Flying drones can be dangerous, and crashing drones into a crowded stadium can be very dangerous. The young science teacher was flying a 3DR drone near the US Open venue so that he could get some footage of the Unisphere. But the flying robot malfunctioned and flew into the stands instead. Whoops!

“Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of this incident,” reads a press release from the Queens County district attorney’s office. “However, we cannot rely on happenstance to protect the public.”

As the price of drones drops, we’re sure to see more incidents involving inexperience pilots making bad decisions about where to fly. That’s why the district attorney’s “happenstance” comment is so on point. There will be more accidents. Five days of community service is a slap on the wrist, but who knows what the verdict would’ve been if the teacher had actually injured someone. Let’s hope we never have to find out. [Ars Technica]